This large and complex region includes the Northern Basin and Range,
Columbia Plateau, and the eastern slope of the Cascade Range. This area
is dry due to its position in the rainshadow of the Cascade Range and
the Sierra Nevada. Grasslands, sagebrush, and other xeric shrubs dominate
the flats and lowlands, with piñon-juniper woodlands and open
ponderosa pine forests on higher slopes. Lodgepole pine/sub-alpine fir
forests occur at higher elevations on north-facing slopes. Several substantial
lowland wetlands are extremely important to shorebirds, including breeding
American Avocet; Black-necked Stilt; and Willet, migrating Wilsons
Phalarope, and other water birds, notably Eared Grebe. The region is
also important for breeding Mountain Plover and Snowy Plover. Most of
North American breeding White-faced Ibis and California Gulls nest in
marshes and lakes scattered across the region. The Great Salt Lake and
adjacent marshes host large numbers of American White Pelican, Cinnamon
Teal, Northern Pintail, Redhead, Tundra Swan, and other waterfowl and
many species of migrant shorebirds. Sage Grouse, Sage Sparrow, Sage
Thrasher, and Brewers Sparrow are priority land birds of lowlands,
with White-headed Woodpecker, Flammulated Owl, and Cassins Finch
leading the list of characteristic birds of the regions pine forests.